Finance Committee reviews preliminary school budget proposal
Finance Committee · Meeting of January 7, 2026
NEW SALEM — Finance Committee discusses preliminary school budget with 9 percent increase. The New Salem Finance Committee, meeting jointly with Wendell Finance Committee members, reviewed the Swift River School's preliminary budget proposal and sought a 2.5 to 3 percent reduction target. Superintendent Shannon Cleaveland emphasized that reductions would necessarily involve personnel cuts.
The committee heard updates on the Bryt program, now in its second year, and discussed state funding programs including Chapter 70 reform and Rural Aid. Capital priorities include internet rewiring at a net cost of approximately $13,000 per town and future air-handler upgrades estimated to exceed $100,000. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 13, 2026.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 310 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of January 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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